Sri Lankans take the chance to fill their boots

Sussex 40 for 1 trail Sri Lankans 521 for 5 dec (Tharanga 140, Kapugedara 134*, Samaraweera 100*) by 481 runs
Scorecard

Thilan Samaraweera on his way to a hundred © Getty Images

Sri Lanka took every opportunity to give their batsmen time in the middle on the second day of the tour match against Sussex at a chilly Hove, piling up 521 for 5 before declaring at tea. By the close, Sussex had reached 41 for 1 in reply.

Yesterday it was Upul Tharanga who took centre stage, and today it was the turn of Chamara Kapugedera and Thilan Samaraweera who both reached hundreds, in Kapugedera's case the first of his career.

James Kirtley struck early to remove Mahela Jayawardene without addition to his overnight 45, but that was to be Sussex's only success for almost two sessions as Kapugedera and Samaraweera smashed 248 in an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand. Samaraweera hit exactly 100 from 203 balls, including seven boundaries, while Kapugedera, who faced one more ball, scored 134 including 15 fours.

The Sri Lankans finally declared at tea, but bad light forced Sussex to wait more than an hour to start their innings. When they did, they soon lost Richard Montgomerie who was caught behind for 27 off Lasith Malinga.